Who We Are

People are busy, distracted and have more information than ever coming at them on more devices than ever before. Making your point quickly and in a way that resonates with your audience is just half the battle. That’s where we come in. Informed by decades of experience in communications and policy, we work with our clients to develop winning messages and craft strategies to help them cut through the clutter.

We work with businesses, associations, nonprofits and candidates on the forefront of change. Anyone can do the easy stuff, we live for the uphill battle, the “unwinnable” fight, because those are the ones that matter.

Service matters. Summers Strategies limits the number of clients we partner with because we take the time to fully understand the challenges they face, the intricacies of their field and the issues that are important.

Our Team

Jon Summers leverages his 20 years of unmatched experience to design proactive, innovative, and effective communications strategies. He has worked on US Senate, US House, gubernatorial and state legislative campaigns across the country — designing messaging and strategy and overseeing advertising, earned media and social media marketing. Jon has developed messaging, media trained, and coached candidates and elected officials including former presidents, governors, US senators, cabinet secretaries, state and local policymakers, entertainers and CEOs. Jon was tapped to revitalize the communications efforts of the Nevada Democratic Party, followed by the Democratic Governors Association (DGA).

Jon Summers

President

Prior to joining Summers Strategies, Sweet served as Director of Speechwriting at the Center for American Progress, as well as Speechwriter and Communications Advisor to then-Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. With broad experience on the national political landscape and deep roots in Maine and Nevada, Sweet has elevated her clients to a number of campaign and legislative wins. Sweet also served as Communications Director for the Nevada State Democratic Party during Sen. Reid’s 2010 re-election campaign after a decade in journalism. As Vice President of Summers Strategies, her extensive expertise in environmental, energy, and water policy have proven a valuable asset to our clients.

Phoebe Sweet

Partner

Hillary is a highly experienced strategist whose talents include social media planning and execution, digital advertising, copywriting, and content development (including video production and graphics). Previous to her career in communications Hillary worked as a high school history and politics teacher in California, and a screenwriter for GREEK in Los Angeles before that. Hillary recently moved back to the States from London where she worked with multiple clients including London Business School and the NHS. She has a BS in Communications from Boston University and a MA in International Communications and Development from City University of London.

Hillary Richonne

Digital Strategist

Amy brings a broad range of experience to Summers Strategies, project management, communications and marketing, website design and strategy, and event operations, and has experience managing budgets of more than $1 million. Her experience working on solar energy, climate change, animal rights, women’s rights and LGBT rights, is a value to the firm’s public policy work. While supporting two major healthcare organizations, Amy spearheaded marketing and re-brand efforts, as well as digital outreach. Prior to that, Amy oversaw all membership and event marketing for a large technology association. Amy brings a deep knowledge of the member association industry to the firm, gleaned from more than a decade working in the industry.

Amy Rutter-Hanzel

Administrative Assistant

Rake is an accomplished national press secretary with a deep understanding of the Nevada media landscape. He has written extensively on federal, state and local environmental policies and issues. Rake led Summers Strategies Nevada media relations work during the 2017 session of the Nevada State Legislature, working with clean energy and education groups on smart, progressive policy and bringing his clients a number of legislative wins. As the former spokesperson for the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada (PLAN), Rake’s advocacy work for a variety of policy campaigns has made him a trusted source and expert in environmental and social issues.